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Padres host Arizona for 1st of 3 games

The Padres continue their first homestand of the season Friday night at Petco Park hosting Arizona (7:05 p.m., TV: 4 San Diego)

The Padres will be looking for their first series victory of the season, having dropped the first three, three-game sets of the campaign by identical 2-1 margins.

In the middle game of the season-opening series in Arizona, the Padres beat Edwin Jackson, the right-handed starter they will face tonight. Jackson allowed three runs on five hits over five innings, including a solo homer to Will Venable.

But the Diamondbacks also beat the pitcher they’ll face tonight. Arizona scored six runs in four innings against Jon Garland in the season opener, although only two of the runs were earned. Garland started the 2009 season with the Diamondbacks and was 8-11 with a 4.29 ERA in 27 starts for the Diamondbacks before being traded to the Dodgers last Aug. 11.

Garland signed as a free agent with the Padres this past Jan. 26. His contract, worth a total of $5.3 million including his option buyout, was the largest contract offered by the Padres last winter. Friday night will be his home debut as a Padre.

Arizona had a 5-4 advantage over the Padres at Petco Park last season. The Padres 7-11 record against Arizona was their worst against any National League West opponent.

Adrian Gonzalez was 5-for-12 with two homers and Chase Headley was 5-for-13 in the Padres first three games in Arizona. But Arizona pitchers recorded 26 strikeouts against only six walks in the three games.

DIAMONDBACKS (5-4) PADRES (3-6)7:05 p.m. / Game 1 of 3

TV: 4 San DiegoRadio: 1090-AM, 1700-AM; 860-AM (Spanish)

PROBABLE STARTERS

Diamondbacks RHP Edwin Jackson: 1-1, 5.25 ERA in two starts.

Jackson vs. Padres: 0-2 career, 7.53 ERA in five games, three starts (0-1 this season, 5.40 ERA in one start).

Jackson at Petco Park: 0-0 career, 1.80 ERA in one start (first appearance of the season).